My "Call" to ministry and my ordination as Deacon in 1956, compels me and frees me to be in complete and total ministry to all of God's people, regardless of who they are, what they have done, or whom they love.

There was never any discussion about the married status of these biblical people. It was simply assumed that they were all straight, just like my family: a mom and dad, children, grandparents, aunts and uncles.

Emory must decide: Are they comfortable with one of their schools honoring someone who has made life a whole lot harder for LGBT Methodists? Or are they the university that lives out the values of inclusion in which they take so much pride?

Bob believed in democracy, and he believed that Christians should fight for the common good. It was devastating to learn of his sudden death this week in a dark time when his prophetic vision has never been more sorely needed.

Despite my obvious denominational loyalty I'm not sure Christian denominations have a future -- or whether they even should. Here are five reasons that I not only suspect the day of denominations has passed.